Writer-director Josh Margolin made this light-hearted comedy loosely based on the experience of his grandmother Thelma Post, who turns 104 this year.
Thelma (beautifully played by June Squibb) is 94 and lives alone in Los Angeles. Conned by a phone scam, she sends $10.000 to a local address, convinced that her grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) is in need of bail from jail after a car crash.
Her family argue that this as an indication she should not be living independently, and that the time has come for her to move to a retirement home. But Thelma has other ideas.
When the police are unable to help, she decides to track down the scammers and retrieve her money.
She steals a two-seater mobility scooter from an old acquaintance Ben (Richard Roundtree)Â and after he catches up with her they join forces, steal a gun from another old lady, and take off across town.
This is the first leading role played by June Squibb, 94, who has been an actress for 78 years and has won many Best Supporting Actress awards. Impressively, she and Roundtree do their own stunts!
Many will find this a touching and entertaining film which has a serious theme about the way elderly people are sometimes treated.
97 minutes.
Showing at Luna Leederville, Windsor Nedlands, and Luna SX Fremantle from September 5
Watch the trailer…
